I'd like to eventually get into eventing, but know nothing about it! So i have a few questions.

- What are the different levels? And jumping heights/dressage levels within those?

- Is 16 or 17 ish too late to start eventing seriously (the horse)?

- Anyone know where i can find out about events in my area? Websites or anything?

- How often would i have to practice on a XC course? Would once every 2 weeks be alright? Once a month?

I realise lessons are a must. Theres a local riding school that has SJ arenas, XC course etc and the instructor i'd use almost made it unto the olympic team at one stage, so thats a plus :lol:

I think thats all the questions i have for now..if i think of anymore ill add them here.
I'd really like to try this, though im not sure if i can financially :?
Maybe the year after next but i'd like to start before my horse gets much older.. I dunno.. ill see how things go

Thanks in advance for any questions answered :-)

wild_spot

06-15-2010 08:48 AM

PC is a great place to start eventing if your zone has the facilities.Posted via Mobile Device

StormyBlues

06-15-2010 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatNinjaHorse
(Post 660688)

I'd like to eventually get into eventing, but know nothing about it! So i have a few questions.

- What are the different levels? And jumping heights/dressage levels within those?

In America, Beginner Novice: simple dressage (walk, trot, canter, free walk, halt, 20m circles), 2'7" maxed jumping courses with water on the XC and spreads. Banks are also likly to be on the course depending on where you are. Novice: Almost the same dressage, 2'11" maxed courses. You will definatly get banks and ditches, maybe a trekaner, and most likly jumping into and out of the water complex. Stadium will all be 2'11". Training: In dressage you will be asked to do a long and low trot and an extention of the trot along with the other movements. At training, alot of dressage judges want to see more collection in the headset. Jumping will most likly introduce jumping in the water, and a coffin jump. Cornners are usually introduced at this level also. All the jumps will be at 3'3" I think. Prelimenary introduces leg yeilding in the dressage test. Jumps are at 3'7" with just more terrain added on XC with harder jumps. Tripple bars will be in stadium. Intermediate: dressage is asking for collection in the gaits, haunches in and shoulder ins, rein backs, simple lead changes are also asked along with extension in the gaits. Jumping is at 3'9" for XC and stadium is at 3'11". Advanced dressage asks for everything along with counter canter and flying lead changes. XC is at 3'11" and stadium is at 4'1".

Also to note is that banks get bigger, drops get bigger, and ditches get wider, as do oxers and triple bars as the levels move up. You will also get "stair" jumps on XC (down or up banks with only a stride or a bounce inbetween), and more combination jumps pop up.

- Is 16 or 17 ish too late to start eventing seriously (the horse)?

It depends on the horse. I know a horse who jumped into his 20's, but others just dont want to. It also depends on the horses health. I would talk to your vet and see what they say about the strain of galloping and jumping on your horse specifically.

- Anyone know where i can find out about events in my area? Websites or anything?

Google, asking around, and the USEA website are the best bets.

- How often would i have to practice on a XC course? Would once every 2 weeks be alright? Once a month?

We have XC at our training barn, so it's always being incorperated into our lessons. You usually do three schoolings before your first outing of the season (Totally didn't do that this year.......) and then you don't do any unless a problem arises that needs fixing.

I realise lessons are a must. Theres a local riding school that has SJ arenas, XC course etc and the instructor i'd use almost made it unto the olympic team at one stage, so thats a plus :lol:

I think thats all the questions i have for now..if i think of anymore ill add them here.
I'd really like to try this, though im not sure if i can financially :?
Maybe the year after next but i'd like to start before my horse gets much older.. I dunno.. ill see how things go

Thanks in advance for any questions answered :-)

Answeres in blue!

Strange

06-16-2010 01:42 AM

- What are the different levels? And jumping heights/dressage levels within those?

Stormy covered this perfectly, lol.

- Is 16 or 17 ish too late to start eventing seriously (the horse)?

I agree, it depends on the horse. If he/she is sound and healthy I wouldn't see a problem with it. They might be more cautious than a younger horse, so cross country would take a little more getting used to for them. I know a Thoroughbred that competed at training and preliminary level until he was 22, so it's totally dependent on the horse and their own health.

- Anyone know where i can find out about events in my area? Websites or anything?

- How often would i have to practice on a XC course? Would once every 2 weeks be alright? Once a month?
Honestly, when I was competing I probably did schoolings 10 times a year. A few times in January/February, then several over the summer, and a few in November/December. It depends on how far you're willing to drive. I lived in south Texas, so the closest place to school at was several hours away. Most of the time my schoolings were weekend-long events. We'd drive out Friday afternoon then ride Saturday morning and Sunday morning, then leave Sunday afternoon. If there are places closer to you then you'll be able to go more often. I feel the more often you can expose your horse to cross country questions, the easier it will be for you.

wild_spot

06-16-2010 01:57 AM

Instead of looking on sites from other countries, lol, try the EA site (Equestrian Australia - used to be EFA).Posted via Mobile Device

Strange

06-16-2010 01:59 AM

Aha. It would help if I noticed the OP was in Australia. xD My bad. I shall adjust my link accordingly! Also, the levels are named completely different things in Australia. I believe Novice over there corresponds to Preliminary over here.

you can find the dressage tests on the pca sites or on th ea sites. i know a few things about the efa level but they are a little different the pony club
i know intro 1 is the same as c grade
i know intro 2 is the same as d grade
after that they get different and i've never done efa

what state in australia are you in then we can see if you are in the same state as one of us so can tell you rules and ect

if your horse has been in heavy work most of it's life then maybe not high levels but surely enough to get you started on low level e /d grade. my horse is rising 17 years and evented or raced his whole life so he's stopped wanting to do c grade so i cruise around at d grade while my young horse is getting educated. he evented up to b grade before i got him. he still enjoys low levels but won't do the big stuff anymore.

as for getting out training on xc every 2 weeks....LUCKY YOU!!!!!! i was lucky to get once a month!

ThatNinjaHorse

06-16-2010 04:15 AM

Thanks for the replies! im in NSW btw

Quote:

PC is a great place to start

The clubs around here mainly do gymkhana type stuff. I used to be a member but ill look into it again and see how much eventing type stuff they do, thanks!

As for the horse, he's only been in work since he was 11..12 ish.. before that he never really did anything, some years he'd be ridden once...
He had a bit of a break a while ago, during EI time and such, so im thinking he'd be alright.

As for the XC course, theres one in town at a riding school, about half an hour away towing a horse.

Ill have a look at that site too, thanks!

Strange

06-16-2010 07:10 PM

I'm jealous that you've got a place like half an hour away, lol. Good luck with everything! (And get lots of pictures so we can see all the fun you're having!)